Disclaimer: ummm, I wonder.
Author's note: Okay I'm sorry for the delay but my dog ate my homework, okay that's a lie but he did chew through my phone cable, bad mooch, no mooch.
Tony blocked her escape route from the drug lock up, she stared him down in disbelief.
She hadn't spoken to him since Ray had left, she had figured he would have taken the hint and left her alone but it seemed subtly was wasted on Gates in his self-involved world.
"Mayday, if I didn't know better I'd swear you were avoiding me" He said completely ignorant to the poisonous look she was giving him. Was he really that dense?
"Really why would I do that? " she asked sarcastically rolling her eyes in disbelief, apparently he was that dense.
"This is about that loser Barnett isn't it, I know he used to be your FRIEND but that guy is a jerk. He deserved to be suspended, hell he's lucky I didn't press charges," He stated condescendingly. She hadn't missed the inflection in his voice when he had said friend either. She felt her temper flare.
"You complete wanker " She poked him in the chest angrily with her finger.
"To think I used to defend you when everyone else said what a prick you were, I told them to give you a chance but you really are a prick" Despite her small stature he backed up slightly.
"A thick as pig shit, arrogant prick" she added an additional prod for each word.
His face grew contorted with anger and with a flash he grabbed her arm tightly.
"I suppose lover boy came running telling you how I said this or said that" He spat furiously.
"Let go" She tried to sound strong, tried to hide the fear she felt as he fingers dug into the soft skin on her arm.
She felt her pulse thunder in her chest as adrenaline pounded into her blood stream telling her to fight or run.
He stepped forward forcing her backwards with his large rough hand wrapped around her bare forearm.
"You're a goddamn tease, and one day someone's going to make you sorry" His face was only a few centimetres from hers, his breath warm on her face, she coiled back in fear. It had sounded like a threat. Surely he wouldn't hit her.
She flinched involuntarily when he moved forward again.
"You're not worth it," He snapped.
She let out a long held breath as he dropped her arm and stormed off without another word. Her adrenaline slipped away leaving a cold nausea to settle in her stomach.
She had called on Abby and Joe after work, she felt the need for a friendly face, her day never improving much since her Encounter with the ugly face of Tony's anger. She didn't mention it to Abby, Neela knowing the other woman would immediately want to confront Gates and tear him a new one.
Instead she tried to keep it light and carefree, Abby had been off for the day and looked thoroughly content with the calm day she had spent with her beautiful baby boy.
Neela hadn't ever really been a baby person, probably due to her over eager traditionalist parents who had wanted her to settle down and start a family like a good little Indian girl.
She held the now sleepy baby, who was so small and amazing and felt a silly girly flash of maternal yearning rush over her, damn it. So unlike strong collected Neela, her mother would have a field day if she could see her cooing over the tiny bundle in her arms.
"Has Ray called yet?" Her friend asked drawing her rapt attention.
"No" She knew the disappointment rang out in her tone but she was past caring, there was little point trying to hide her frustration from Abby anyway.
"It's been over a week now" Abby stated matter-of-factly as if Neela didn't already know that, as if she hadn't arrived home everyday after work to move instantly to the machine and check her messages in some vain hope that he had called.
Neela just looked at the other woman tiredly. She had missed him; it was so strange .she hadn't talked to him for so long but he had always been there, now he was completely gone and she felt lost with out him.
"Don't worry he'll be back soon, he's got to see Luka on Thursday" Abby reassured getting up to fix coffee. It wasn't much of a reassurance, as selfish as it sounded she wanted Ray to come back for her, not Luka.
"So anything much happen at work today?" She called as she poured steaming water into the cups in front of her.
"Not much it was pretty quiet really" She lied badly, why did she find it so difficult to lie to Abby?
"Really" Abby placed the steaming cups on the coffee table and took her baby son. "I'll put him down for a nap," She said stroking a soft dark curl of hair over his tiny head. She looked so natural with the infant, it made Neela smile; her friend had been so fearful that she wouldn't be a good mother. Neela herself had never doubted the woman for a second. Her strong caring nature and no nonsense attitude making her ideal mother material.
"Why don't you call Brett?" Abby asked suddenly appearing again beside the couch, Neela having been too immersed in her thoughts to notice her approach.
"Huh, what?" She stuttered ripped from her daydreaming by Abby's heard but unprocessed question.
"Call Brett, ask to talk to Ray" Abby suggested in that way that said 'you know I'm right'.
"I don't have his number" Flat and cold her tone letting Abby know she wanted to drop the subject.
"Neela it's clear that you are worried about him, just call, and tell him. It might make a difference" She placed a supportive hand on her shoulder.
"It might not" Neela added unable to hide the fear and uncertainty in her statement.
"It might not," Abby agreed with a shrug.